Zurich Premiership side Northampton have failed in their bid to sign Australian international centre Steve Kefu as a replacement for the departing John Leslie.

WALLABY centre Steve Kefu has been cleared by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) of a doping offence after he took a steroid to treat a viral disorder.

Veteran flanker Owen Finegan was the biggest omission from Australia’s World Cup squad announced in Sydney today.

Eleven of Australia’s key players will go into the defence of the World Cup without having played a match in eight weeks.

John Mitchell returned to his strongest possible line-up for New Zealand’s twin assault on the Bledisloe Cup and the world number one ranking this weekend.

SUPPORT for banned Irish rugby international Frank Sheahan mounted yesterday when his club called for full clarification on the use of asthma inhalers.

Australia 45

Australia 24 Ireland 13

IRELAND’S first foray to the southern hemisphere before October’s Rugby World Cup will unfold inside the neat and tidy Subiaco Oval in Perth this morning (kick-off 10am Irish time).

Ireland go into tomorrow’s Test against world champions Australia in Perth brimming with confidence despite a brewing selection row.

Queensland players Nathan Williams and Shane Drahm are nursing more than hangovers after they were dumped from the Reds line-up to meet the Lions on Saturday for disciplinary reasons.